10 February, 2009

Tom found a very nice, a fairly inexpensive brass bike bell from Taiwan. We call it the Temple Bell, though I admit that in my several visits to Buddhist temples in Taiwan, I've never seen a bell remotely like it. But allow us a bit of poetic license; it's hard to think of all these product names.

Our Japanese brass bells have been very popular and were one of the very first items VO stocked. This bell is similar in most respects, but less expensive. It actually has a couple of advantages over the Japanese version. It's a little louder and the chrome plated handlebar clamp fits a wider range of bar sizes. On the other hand, it does not work with retro mounts or headset spacer mounts. And it's shape and tone are not quite so perfect as the original. Still, for $8...

Our rationale for yet another bell is that Japanese prices are increasing at an alarming clip while delivery times are lengthening. So having bells from more than one manufacturer seems only prudent.

@Ankle - second on those bells being awesome. My friend introduced me to them and I was hugely impressed by quality per value; now I have them on both of my bikes. They look seriously great mounted on older bikes.

The bell that Uncle Ankle points to is loud, an a lot of fun at Critical Masses. But I hate it too, because every time you hit the littlest bump, they're constantly making noise.

As for the bell, I think this new one speaks volumes about why I've been turned off from VO of late. The Japanese bell was already cheap enough. The Japanese bells are the same as old telephones. I think that's cool. The Taiwan bell saves you a few dollars, that's it.

Why not come up with something original? Why not a dimpled surface bell? Why not a different shape? Why not one of those bigger bells?

But instead we get an old classy design turned into the generic version with much less taste.

Perhaps it's time I open my own on-line bicycle boutique. We'll be a collective of bicycle artists. We'll call it Bicycle Union. And it'll be fair trade. And we'll have the classiest labels that make you excited to have art in your life.

A few bike shops have been successful as a collective (Missing Link in Berkeley; City Bikes in Portlandia). I think Burley and IF were the last employee owned bike fabrication companys in the biz, and both have reverted to singular private ownership in recent years. There are a few in Spain (Orbea, others??), which has a different tax and business structure than we do here.

It would be interesting to see if a co-op type domestic parts and accessories manufacturer can be launched and profitable after a couple years.

I'm sure there will be plenty of detractors accusing the founders of commodifying their art after a couple of years. Just like music industry.

This kind of bell also looks cool - pulling the lever moves the roller onto the tyre, so the bell rings continuously until the lever is disengaged.

Here in the UK, at least, the "bring-bring" type bell seems to get a better response from pedestrians than the "ping" type, probably because it better signifies "bike", but possibly just because of volume. "Ping" bells are almost ubiquitous, though - they are cheaper, so are what gets fitted to new bikes (new bikes must have a bell fitted, although there is no requirement to keep it fitted after purchase).

I prefer saying "excuse me, please" anyway, there's something a little "get out of my way" about ringing a bell.

Re anon about the fair trade comment... Are you working on establishing fair trade certification for bike industry product? If you are, come out of the closet and share your contact info so we can collaborate. I am working with a couple of bike companys domestically and plan to bring our ideas and process to Taiwan bike factories in 2009.

For Reals.

With the exception of gloves made in central Asia, there is no precedent for establishing fair trade for the heavy and light industry that typically produces our bike parts. I mention the gloves because there are some factories making gloves and soccer balls that are fair trade certified (for Patagonia, North Face, Nike, Gucci, etc). They would be an easier transfer of the fair trade process. They only do it for those labels and the product that fall under that certification. It is not a 'factory' or product line wide certification.

I have a couple of the Japanese bells (one alu, one brass). They're both great. I still get comments like "Nice bell!" from folks on the bike path. A cheaper bell is a nice option, although I didn't think the Japanese ones were too expensive. I guess if they go up dramatically in price, I might change my mind.

The only bell I have that is taken seriously is ding dong bell and it is just too large, esp. if we are to start using 42cm handlebars like Chris wants us to. There has got to be an attractive bell out there that is inbetween the big ones and the pretty japanese ones in size and loudness.

I'll have to try Robatsu's technique. I also have a hard time getting people to notice me when I use the japanese boutique bells. Perhaps it's because few people recognize it as a bell, if they hear it. The last time I used mine I had to strike it repeatedly before the pedestrians turned around but instead of moving all I got was a "yeah I hear ya faggot." I've gone to a dutch bell. Maybe the note is just too dainty and polite for a rough american city?